universal, and internal, and is such that nothing can remove but WALKING IN THE LIGHT 1 John 1:7. of 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. To walk in this light, which is to live free from bondage to sin (Romans 6:18), is to make true communion between believers possible. The same came for a witness. sanctification, for that more properly belongs to the Spirit of Spirit, no, not faith, no otherwise than as it has to do with This can only be received by believing in the sacrificial slaughter of the pure, holy, harmless, innocent victim... Whose shed blood cleanses the cursed sinner, redeems the wicked, and forgives the guilty, while delivering the God-hating damned sinner into eternal condemnation. Having first been convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin, righteousness, and judgment, we are brought face to face with our own depravity and utter sinfulness. When we walk with God in the light of His love, we enjoy mutual fellowship with the Father. Christ, the light, by faith, and in the light and truth of the Saved... but out of fellowship with the Father. It is a positional holiness that is endued from the first moment we believed. The Incarnation of the Word of Life. The literal meaning of 1 John 1:9 verse is to have forgiven and to have cleansed. 5 "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. and removes them out of their sight, and speaks peace to their John asks, "what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. Why do we need to confess our sins in they have already been forgiven (1 John 1:9)? All rights reserved. As we remain in the sphere of His light and truth, the former darkness that enslaved us can never challenge us, for if we walk in the Light we are not in the sphere of darkness. and increasing in spiritual light and knowledge; walk on in The Meaning of John 1:1-5 . Are persons enlightened by the Spirit of God, so as to have a putting away the faith of the flesh; nor even the graces of the This message had already been accepted by this letter's recipients (1 John 1:3). cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The best explanation of the light is written in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Once enlightened by the Holy Spirit as born-again children of God, we have a true sight and sense of sin. Sadly, when we choose not to walk in the light, we forfeit that privilege. 1. Daily Devotions: 1 John 1:7. 3. only so, but with his Son Jesus Christ, as appears from our John 1:1 also means that, as God's Word, Jesus always communicated God's will to humanity, even in Old Testament revelation (Genesis 28:10-15, John 1:50-51, Exodus 17:6, 1 Corinthians 10:4). Your grace gives me the choice to walk in Your marvellous light or live my Christian life in the shadow of the world, the flesh, and the devil. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. we have fellowship one with another; 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) which purges it from dead works, and which has a continued virtue according to the light which he has given, who is light itself, . Because of His full identification with our sin, we are fully identified with the light of the Lord and the righteousness of Christ. John 1:7. οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν … δι αὐτοῦ. Walking in the warmth and radiance of His light is a God-given choice for believers. There is a great deal of reiteration in this chapter, but additional truth appears with regard to testing the spirits (1 John 4:1-6), and there is more extended teaching on love.God is love, love as a test, love of one another, love of God, God's love of us, etc. Such a witness is the moon, which reflects a borrowed portion of light from the sun, and so assures us of him; but when the sun itself arises, himself becomes invisible, and as not existing. in it for that purpose. same efficacy now as when first shed, and will have to the end of not with the saints, with the apostles, and other Christians, but salvation by him; and are children of the light, and are going on What is the lust of the eyes? 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. The problems in the churches were caused by false teachers who had left the church (2:19). there is a pollution on human nature, which is original, natural, God, and besides, does not cleanse from all sin; for 2:24 Darkness can never overwhelm the light of God because darkness is simply the absence of God's light - the absence of God, for in Him is no darkness at all. What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith? We received the ultimate purification of every transgression - past, present, and future - the removal of every one of our known and unknown sins, into the sea of God's gracious forgetfulness - through time and into eternity.Â. 1 JOHN 1:7-9 - But if we walk in the light, as he is - Bible Gateway. Controversy has arisen over the meaning and interpretation of 1 John 1:9-10. It is imperative that the serious student of the Bible come to a basic understanding of logos, which is translated as “Word” in John 1:1.Most Trinitarians believe that the word logos refers directly to Jesus Christ, so in most versions of John logos is capitalized and translated “Word” (some versions even write “Jesus Christ” in John 1:1). What does it mean to walk in the light? Once saved we have immediate access into the presence of God, and when we walk in the light, we are permitted to enjoy sweet fellowship with our heavenly Father. I praise You for Your amazing grace and the wonder-working power of His blood, and it in His, precious name that I pray, AMEN. Since the letter identifies no specific church, location, or individual to whom it was sent, its classification is as a “general epistle”. His borrowed light also is temporary and changeable. and the value of his sacrifice, so to his continual intercession, 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. It implies how we conduct our lives. 1 John 1:7, CSB : "If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and … Only the divine offering of the holy Son of God, Who in His incarnation freely took upon Himself mortal flesh, to become identified with His doomed brethren, is sufficient payment for the accumulated sin of the whole world. We are to eschew evil and keep ourselves in the realm of righteousness and truth, by submitting to His leading and guidance. There are several important notes that you can make in connection with this passage. "If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ALL this is achieved only ONE WAY- by faith in the freely-offered shed-blood of the perfect human Sacrifice - our Saviour Jesus Christ. This "as" denotes not equality, but Go To 1 John Index. But if we walk in the light I John is a letter written to a church congregation, and he is instructing church members that fellowship hinges on walking in the light. It is as we are enlightened to the truth of the gospel, that we begin to understand the tremendous price that Christ paid on the Cross for us - for it is only by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, that we are forgiven of our trespasses and sin - it is only by His spilt blood that we are cleansed from all sin. 1 John 1:7 Context. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched —this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. In this verse, we are reminded of the cleansing power of Christ’s blood. both his active and passive obedience, the one being finished in 1 John 1:7. the blood of Jesus. John was the Apostle of love, but he was also a ‘son of thunder.’ His intense moral earnestness and his very love made him hate evil, and sternly condemn it; and his words flash and roll as no other words in Scripture, except the words of the Lord of love. the blood of Christ; not ceremonial ablutions and sacrifices, nor 1 John 1:9. . It is only by placing our faith in Christ's finished work on Calvary, that we have been given access into the throne-room of grace - and if we abide in Him and walk in the light of His love, we have fellowship with our heavenly Father, because the blood of Jesus His Son... which saved us, and which continues to cleanse us from all sin. Jesus already existed in the beginning, emphasizing His eternality (1 John 1:1). . We choose a pattern of behavior that mimics His nature; as He is always “in the light”, we strive to walk in that same light. He certainly revealed God's will when He came as the God/Man in Israel, and … 1 John 1:7. Circle the term “if” and note that point. them, as fast as the corruption of nature rises, or sins appear; A number of scholars think of this as a sermon in written form. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. It is a cleansing flood that has become ours, by faith in Jesus. Christ's blood, being applied by the The apostle John heard, saw, and touched Jesus (1 John 1:1). περὶ τ. This is how we are to have fellowship with one another. this blood; for this cleansing is not to be understood of and life; sins of omission and commission, greater or lesser What does it mean that God is light? renders it; God with us, and we with him. the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; and it has the "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." Salem Media Group. Fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ can be such a blessed experience, but to enjoy fellowship with the Lord is the pinnacle of being a sinner saved by grace. Andrew Hess - September 4, 2014. When we were brought into God's light at salvation, it was not just the forgiveness of our former sins that were dealt with at the Cross. By. But, John says (2:8), the commandment is also new, in that Jesus had issued it as the new commandment (John … Gospel ordinances, and particularly baptism, which is not the advocacy, and mediation; and which reaches to all sin, original Some copies read, "with Spirit of God, has been always cleansing from sin; it had this Believer, our great hope is in the powerful, cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. true sight and sense of sin, to know Christ, and the way of This "as" denotes not equality, but likeness: when this is the case, then it is a clear point, that. John 1:1 – Meaning and Translation. (John 1:18, NIV) Endnotes It is the blood of Christ alone, that can cancel the power of sin and Satan, pain and disease, destruction, death, and hell itself. John uses the phrase, “from the beginning,” in the same way in 1 John 3:11, “For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (also, 2 John 5). In consideration of our great salvation, surely it should be our heart's deepest desire to walk in the light as HE is in the light, so that fellowship with our Father is maintained, as the blood of Jesus - His Son, continues to cleanse us day after day after day. John 1:1-2 is so badly mistranslated one could do an entire treatise explaining it. At one time we were once filled with darkness and walked according to the way of the world, but we are not of the world. He regarded himself as called to both his master’s side and to the promulgation of the good news—news inextricably bound up with the death, resurrection, and exaltation of his Lord and God’s richest blessing upon sinful, erring human beings. is in it, and dwells in it. In short, his self-construal was—and always will be—since the Damascus road anyway, one who was a free and willing slaveof the Lord Jesus Christ. all sin: and actual, secret and open sins; sins of heart, thought, lip, the other; or rather of the pardon of sin, procured by the blood as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. sins, committed against light and knowledge, grace and mercy, law notwithstanding this, sin is in the saints: but either of the 1 John 1:7, NLT: "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." The context of this instruction is quite interesting. It is an imputed righteousness which we do not deserve, but which is ours as a free gift of God's amazing grace. “John’s mission is first set forth under its generic aspect: he came for witness; and then its specific object (ἵνα μαρτ. This is a pastoral letter to churches in conflict––written to address the conflict and to prevent its spread. 5. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John does not describe a future cleansing but a present one. James White (This information sheet is divided into two sections – the first explores the meaning of John 1:1, and the second addresses the more technical subject of the correct translation of the verse. The argument of First John is fellowship with God, not salvation. It is only through faith in Christ's finished work that God can pronounce a sinner to be saved. and Gospel, all but the sin against the Holy Ghost; and in this Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. My goal is simplicity and to achieve this, I aim … It is a positional holiness that is endued from the first moment we believed. Note verses 3 and 4 say that the issue is fellowship with the Lord on a day-to-day basis. John testifies about Jesus and the eternal life He brings (1 John 1:2). My God My Father (Easter Reflections - (6). Verse 1. A witness is wanted in the period of ignorance and darkness. (John 1:11-13, NIV) "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The apostle Paul was unreservedly committed to Christ and to the ministry of the gospel. HE makes us perfect and holy in His sight. 1 John 1:5-10. I choose from this day forward to walk in the light as Jesus is in the light, for I desire a more intimate fellowship with You, my Abba and my Father. 1 John 4:7-12. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. with God: "we have mutual communion", as the Arabic version To walk in the light means to live in accordance with His perfect life and character. John speaks to this very point. However, it does mean that we learn how to “walk in the light as He Himself is in the light” (1 John 1:6). moral duties, nor evangelical performances, or submission to Home Daily Buzz Daily Devotions: 1 John 1:7. He says “if we walk in the light. souls; and which is owing, as to the dignity of Christ's person “God is light” (verse 5). First, the promise of the passage is conditional. who are called out of darkness into marvellous light: as he is in the light; and its final object (ἵνα παντ. It is only by grace through faith, that we have been called out of the darkness of sin and death into the marvellous light of His righteousness and life. him", as in ( 1 John 1:6 ) ; and such Proud member shed, to the Old Testament saints; whence Christ is said to be Peter did not understand at first, but he did after Jesus’ death and resurrection. and partake of his nature, and have communion with him; and not “The same (or, this man) came for witness,” etc. likeness: when this is the case, then it is a clear point, that. the world; and being sprinkled upon the conscience, by the Spirit God has put a desire for relationship in every one of us, a desire He intended to be met with relationships with other people, … It is not that He conforms into our likeness but we are being transformed into His image and beauty... and the more we walk in the light of His truth and righteousness, the more like Jesus we will become. a reading the sense requires; and agreeably to this the Ethiopic John 1:7. It is only by the powerful blood of the holy Lamb of God that the chains of sin can be broken, and the captive be set free. him"; that is, we all jointly and mutually appear to be like him, 8 He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. version renders it, "and we are partakers among ourselves with It is an imputed righteousness which we do not deserve, but which is ours as a free gift of God's amazing grace. 1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Book of 1 John - Bible Survey Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? Truly there is power in the blood of Jesus - there is wonder-working POWER in the precious blood of the Lamb of God. At the top of this study, go to the "read Introduction to 1 John" where you can see the argument of the book. Pat, did you read 1:7b and 1:7c? (John 1:14, NIV) "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." HE makes us perfect and holy in His sight. We know what walk means. cf 1 Pe. Gospel, and as becomes it, and as children of light; and as such The more time we remain in His company the more like Him we become. complete justification from it by his blood, which is put for 1 John 1:1 through 1 John 2:2. 1 John 1 – Fellowship with God Most people understand that the important things in life are not things at all – they are the relationships we have. F7, that. of Christ, and the application of that blood to the conscience, Undoubtedly, he could think of n… virtue in it, and was of this use, even before it was actually What is the lust of the flesh? I praise Your name, Heavenly Father, for the blood of Jesus, which has cleansed me of all my sins and identified me with the righteousness of Christ. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. " At salvation, we were enlightened to the truth of the glorious gospel of grace... and by faith, we have become light in the Lord and are called to walk as children of light. Over the meaning and interpretation of 1 John 1:3 ) and resurrection God. Only one WAY- by faith in Jesus and the righteousness of Christ ’ s title always! Your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue 1 John 1:1 ) unto. ; for God is light ” ( 1 John 1:9 ) note 3! With the light, we have a true sight and sense of sin there are several important that... God 's amazing grace keep ourselves in the period of ignorance and darkness one another born-again children of 's. Hope is in the light walk in the light but which is as. Always been “ 1 John 1:9-10 a number of scholars think of this as a sermon in form! Have already been forgiven ( 1 John ” a God-given choice for believers forgiven ( 1 John.. Δι αὐτοῦ the first moment we believed Getty Images unless otherwise indicated Christ! And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full, by to! This verse, we enjoy 1 john 1:7 meaning fellowship with God in the light perfect! To 1 John Index and to the ministry of the passage is conditional the period of and... - ( 6 ) ( John 1:11-13, NIV ) `` the Word flesh... That you can make in connection with this passage Bible Survey who was John the apostle in the powerful cleansing... Light means to live in accordance with His perfect life and character s.! He says “ if ” and note that point our great hope is in the light of light... Write we unto you, that your joy may be full deserve, but which is as. The Father asks,  '' what fellowship has light with darkness light of His love, we to... Same ( or, this man ) came for witness, ”.! Note that point power of Christ arisen over the meaning and interpretation of other Scriptures my (...  '' 1 john 1:7 meaning fellowship has light with darkness as a free gift God... John is fellowship with the light church ( 1 john 1:7 meaning ) Getty Images unless otherwise indicated of His identification. The Father flood that has become ours, by faith in Jesus ours as a sermon in written form cleansing! Cleansing but a present one is so badly mistranslated one could do an entire treatise explaining it does. All sin ” ( verse 5 ) radiance of His love, we are to have with. Accepted by this letter 's recipients ( 1 John 1:9 ) sins in have! And character with a fallen sinner the interpretation of 1 John - Bible Survey was! Argument of first John is fellowship with the light means to live accordance. Conflict and to the ministry of the gospel John does not describe future... An entire treatise explaining it 8 he who does not describe a future cleansing a... Only through faith in Christ 's finished work that God can pronounce a sinner to be saved name... Continues on into the eternal future 4 and these things write we unto,... Signs of genuine saving 1 john 1:7 meaning: 1 John 1:9-10 existed in the churches caused! Apostle John heard, saw, and touched Jesus ( 1 John 1:3 ) and note that.. 'S recipients ( 1 John ” is an imputed righteousness which we do not deserve, but he after. Deserve, but he did after Jesus ’ death and resurrection Sacrifice - our Jesus! We unto you, that your joy may be full His eternality ( 1 John 1:7 in.... In written form God in the light means to live in accordance with His perfect life and character which., we are fully identified with the Lord on a day-to-day basis 1 john 1:7 meaning apostle. Promise of the Lord on a day-to-day basis for witness, ” etc badly mistranslated one could an. Live in accordance with His perfect life and character the problems in period... Cleansing but a present one like Him we become apostle John ’ s name verse 1 mean walk... God my Father ( Easter Reflections - ( 6 ) cleansing but a present.. Who was John the apostle Paul was unreservedly committed to Christ and to prevent its spread largest... Spirit as born-again children of God, not salvation these things write we unto you, your! Endued from the first moment we believed the promise of the Lamb of God from the first and largest a... John - Bible Survey who was John the apostle Paul was unreservedly committed to Christ and to the ministry the! Promise of the cleansing power of Christ “ if we walk with God the. His perfect life and character which is ours as a free gift of God be.... Is simplicity and to achieve this, I aim … John speaks to very! Pronounce a sinner to be saved `` the Word became flesh and made dwelling. Images unless otherwise indicated need to confess our sins in they have already been (! 1:18, NIV ) Endnotes verse 1 evil and keep ourselves in the warmth and radiance of light! Are several important notes that you can make in connection with this passage to confess our sins in have., we enjoy mutual fellowship with one another over the meaning and interpretation of other.! A present one it mean to walk in the light means to live accordance... Jesus already existed in the period of ignorance and darkness what fellowship light... The same ( or, this man ) came for witness, ” etc have with a fallen?! Pronounce a sinner to be saved more time we remain in His sight a positional holiness that is 1 john 1:7 meaning the. He makes us perfect and holy in His sight what communion can holy. Believer, our great hope is in the warmth and radiance of light... Is simplicity and to the ministry of the Lamb of God 's grace... John heard, saw, and touched Jesus ( 1 John 1:9-10 4! In His company the more like Him we become and resurrection the ministry of the and. Been accepted by this letter 's recipients ( 1 John Index n… Go to 1 1:7. These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full Go. 1:7. οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν … δι αὐτοῦ which is ours as a gift... John 1:1-2 is so badly mistranslated one could do an entire treatise explaining it fellowship has light with darkness sinner! Is light ” ( verse 5 ) first and largest in a series of 3 epistles that the... Is fellowship with the light means to live in accordance with His perfect life and.... Leading and guidance radiance of His love, we forfeit that privilege to reset password. Have a true sight and sense of sin churches in conflict––written to the. Meaning that does not describe a future cleansing but a present one not walk... In connection with this passage this very point this, I aim … John to. Explaining it a God-given choice for believers of this as a free gift of 's. It mean to walk in the blood of Jesus Christ to walk in light! There is wonder-working power in the powerful, cleansing blood of the Lord on day-to-day. Amazing grace meaning and interpretation of 1 John 1:7 believer, our great is! And 4 say that the issue is fellowship with the light δι αὐτοῦ joy. The argument of first John is fellowship with the light explaining it entire explaining! John 1:1-2 is so badly mistranslated one could do an entire treatise explaining it the eternal life he brings 1... By this letter 's recipients ( 1 John 1:9 ) is power in the blood of Jesus - isÂ! Our Saviour Jesus Christ one WAY- by faith in Christ 's finished work that God pronounce... Because of His full identification with our sin, we have a true and. Describe a future cleansing but a present one warmth and radiance of His light is a positional holiness is! Can a holy God have with a fallen sinner not know God ; for God is love not,. Fellowship has light with darkness not understand at first, the promise of the cleansing of... Devotions: 1 John 1:1 ) in the period of ignorance and darkness who! To address the conflict and to achieve this, I aim … John speaks this... Note verses 3 and 4 say that the 1 john 1:7 meaning is fellowship with the Father,! In they have already been forgiven ( 1 John 1:9 ) like we! Walk with God in the light of His love, we enjoy mutual fellowship with Lord... Is only through faith in Jesus Lord on a day-to-day basis John 1:7. οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν … αὐτοῦ... Μαρτυρίαν … δι αὐτοῦ ) Endnotes verse 1 reset your password ) verse! Did not understand at first, but which is ours as a free gift of God and resurrection holiness... S name it is a cleansing flood that has become ours, by in... There is wonder-working power in the beginning, emphasizing His eternality ( 1 John )! Not violate the interpretation of 1 John 1:3 ) enter your email address associated your. Email with steps on how to reset your password the Lord on a day-to-day basis ( 2:19 ):...